Critic Reviews

The graphics are smashing, lots of lovely hi-re stuff as you zip about on your Jetpack or go walkies on the bits of extra terrestrial firma that appear from time to time along with the goodies like gold, jewels and fuel. Lots of zingy sonics too, phasey lasers and big bangs and more. Oh I like it. I like it! I will say no more but go and get one quick.

Jetpac's graphics and sound effects are basic, even by Spectrum standards, with colour clash attribute in full flow and spot effects limited to burps and belches as aliens meet their maker. The game nonetheless holds the player's attention purely through its simple gameplay mechanics and a faultless presentation from Ultimate. With the clearance of each level seeing the player's score leap forward thousands of points, one more go is never enough on the quest to better one's high score.

Jetpac is an awesome shooter with fun gameplay, perfect controls and a steadily increasing difficulty curve. Although it's hugely enjoyable its main flaw lies in the lack of stage layouts as a few more designs would have easily pushed it into the top-tier of its genre.

My only reservation is that Jet Pac is now over a year old on the Spectrum, and no new features have been added to this latest version. in fact, I personally didn't think that the graphics were quite as good on the BBC as they were on the original. The sound obviously, is a vast improvement.

There’s not much can be said about Ultimate that hasn’t already been said. Graphics and presentation are of the highest standard. In Jetpac you must get your spaceman to assemble a rocket and fuel it, steal as many gems as you can and avoid the irate aliens or kill them with the laser. When assembled the rocket takes off for another planet to plunder. Re-assemble the ship after five planets. Five levels of different aliens. Joystick: Kempston. One or Two player games, continuous fire and movement in eight directions. Highly recommended.